Baltimore committee advances data center moratorium bill

Name: Baltimore committee advances data center moratorium bill
Uploaded: 2026-05-07T21:14:59.000Z
Duration: 50 s
Description: A Baltimore City Council committee has advanced a bill proposing a one-year moratorium on new data center development in the city. The initiative aims to study the potential impacts of data centers on energy costs, the environment, and neighborhoods, responding to residents' concerns about rising utility bills.

News Clip0:50WMAR-2 News·Baltimore, Baltimore City County, MD·5/7/2026

A Baltimore City Council committee has advanced a bill proposing a one-year moratorium on new data center development in the city. The initiative aims to study the potential impacts of data centers on energy costs, the environment, and neighborhoods, responding to residents' concerns about rising utility bills.

moratoriumelectricityenvironmentalgovernment

Gov: Baltimore City Council, Baltimore City Council committee

The Baltimore City Council committee has moved forward with a bill to implement a one-year moratorium on new data center development within the city. The proposed pause aims to allow the city time to study the potential impacts that data centers could have on local energy costs, the environment, and neighborhoods.

Council President Zeke Helen emphasized the struggles many Baltimoreans already face with high BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric) costs, stating, "No one should need to do a GoFundMe to pay their electricity bill and keep the lights on."

Supporters of the bill have raised concerns regarding data centers' water use, air quality, and the strain they could place on the power grid. However, business groups have issued warnings, urging the city to also consider the potential negative impact a moratorium could have on economic development.